YearToAvoid

2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 24 Engine complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350, 50% of that year's 48 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,000. No related recalls are on file for this issue.

Engine complaints
24
50% of 48
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
74,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden engine shutdown while driving at highway speeds, with all dashboard lights and displays going dark and no warning beforehand.
  • Several complaints describe cylinder misfire and cylinder head problems, including one owner citing DTC code P219E and a known M260 cylinder head issue.
  • Some owners report complete engine failure requiring full engine replacement, occurring without any prior warning message.
  • Multiple complaints describe the vehicle jerking, bucking, or losing power at speed, sometimes tied to a low starter battery warning before engine trouble began.
  • One owner reported a burning odor at 70 MPH followed by the vehicle failing to restart normally.
  • A faulty exhaust valve issue was reported causing the engine to misfire and shake at highway speed, requiring cylinder head replacement.

When 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 2, 2021, latest Jun 3, 2026.

2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2021Jul 2023Apr 2024Jan 2025Jul 2025Oct 2025Dec 2025Feb 2026
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2021 to Jun 2026; peak Feb 2026 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Gle350 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201611 (21%)
  2. 201711 (18%)
  3. 20184 (10%)
  4. 20190 (0%)
  5. 202039 (44%)
  6. 202124 (50%)
  7. 202212 (34%)
  8. 20232 (13%)
  9. 20241 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 have?
NHTSA lists 24 Engine complaints for the 2021 Gle350, which is 50% of the 48 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gle350 engine problem?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue as of the data update.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2021 Gle350?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 74,000 miles.
Were there any fires or injuries linked to the 2021 Gle350 engine complaints?
NHTSA data tied to this problem area includes 2 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 crash among the reported complaints.
How does the 2021 Gle350 compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2021 model year's 50% share of complaints tied to the engine is the highest among the years listed, above 2020's 44% and 2022's 34%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.